Display stand for ribbons and the like



.l. G. JOHNSTON, JR. DISPLAY STAN-D FOR RIBBONS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 8, 1921.

1,415,242, Patented May 9,1922.

JAItIES G. JOHNSTON, $331., OF CHICAGO, ILLKNOIS, ASSIGNOR TO WARREN FEATHER- EONE CONL'PANY, OF TI'IR-EE OAKS, MICHIGAN, A CGRPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

DISZPLAY STAND FOB RIBBONS AND LIKE.

Application filed April 8,

To all to 720m it may concern I Be it known that 'liiains G. JOHNSTON, J12, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Display Stands for Ribbons and the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in display stands, and more particularly to a novel device for the displaying and merchandising of ribbon and like goods.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and attractive device, including certain structural features pertaining to the ar rangement of the supporting members of the stand and the spools on which the ribbon is wound, whereby the same may be readily dispensed in such lengths as the purchaser may desire, and the spools conveniently renewed as they are exhausted.

The novel features will now be disclosed, reference being made to the accompanying drawing,'in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, the several figures being briefly described as follows:

Figure l is a View in front elevation of the stand with several spools mounted there on, one of said spools being shown in vertical section.

Figure 2 is a view in end elevation of the stand, and in side elevation of a spool as taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, and

Figure 8 is a view in end. elevation of one of the spindleashowing the shape of the The stand proper is preferably a portable metallic structure, comprising in general a rectangular base plate 1, a centrally located upright or post 2, and two arms or spindles 33 extending horizontally from opposite sides of the post 2, and in a longitudinal direction with respect to the base plate 1. The stand is designed with an especial view to symmetry and attractiveness in appearance, although the ornamental features are secondary to the functional parts.

The stand as thus described in a general way, may be considered the permanent part of the device, although the spools 4 co-operate to provide the complete dispensing apparatus, these being removable, as before suggested.

Considering now the spools, these mem- Spccification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 9, 1922.

Serial No. 459,578.

bers are arranged along the spindles side by side, and are identical in construction. Zrherefore, a description of one will suffice r01 all. Each of the spools comprises two parallel spaced walls 5-5, preferably of cardboard or other suitable relatively stifl material, these walls being of hexa onal shape, although the exact shape is not e ssential except in so far as hereinafter pointed out. Between the side walls of the spool is a central annular core 6, preferably a hollow cardboard member to which the side walls are glued in symmetrical relation. Surrounding the core 6, and loosely mounted-thereon, is a ring 7, upon which "is wound the contents of the spool 8; to-wit: the rib hon or goods of like nature. The ring thus forms a rotative core permitting the ribbon to be freely unwound from the spool by pulling on the free end of the ribbon. Extending through the central portion of the spool is a key slot 9v formed by cutting registermg slots in each of the side walls 5-5 The key slots (so-called for reasons hereinafter pointed out), are a predetermined size and shape substantially as follows: Coinciding with the axis of the spool is a circular opening from which extend two narrow slots in opposite directions, the slots being in alignment with each other, and so arranged that their prolongation is at right angles to one of the edges of the side walls 55.

Again referring to the stand, the spindles 3-3 form the supporting members for a plurality of spools such as heretofore described. At the ends of the spindles are mounted vertically disposed keys of rectangular shape and having equal portions extending upwardly and downwardly from opposite ides of the spindles. The key and spindle in vertical section present a shape corresponding to that of the key slots 9 in the spools; thus the latter may be placed upon the arms or spindles by inserting the keyed ends thereof through the slots of the spools. In this connection, another relationship between the dimensions of the spools and the tand may be pointed out; namely, that the height of the spindles above the face of the base plate is substantially equal to the minimum radius of the spools; that is, the distance from one edge of the spool to its center, as measured on a line at right angles to said edge. Thus it will be seen that upon inserting one or more spools upon the spindles, one of the edges will engage the of the base plate, thus holding the same from rotation upon the spindle. It will now be seen that the hexagonal shape provides a plurality of edges available for the purpose just described. It is to be observed that a key 10 sin-mounts the end of the post 2, al though it performs no function, being merely placed there for ornamental purposes. The keys and the ends of the spindles, however, do perform a definite function; namely, that of permitting only such spools to be put upon the spindles as have a key slot of a predetermined shape and size. Thus the co-action between spindle and spools is a source of protection to the manufacturer of a certain grade and quality of goods, in that it prevents goods of other manufacturers being displayed upon the stand by reason of the uniformity in shape, size an key slot formation required in the spool.

The key and key slots further provide locks for keeping the spools upon the spindles, inasmuch as a certain degree of manipulation is required to remove or replace the spools.

Although a preferred construction for a display stand is herein illustrated, in which certain ornamental features are revealed, the functional. parts may be applied in various ways and for various purposes. Therefore,

I do not wish to be limited to the exact disclosure, except as pecifically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of a standard provided with a spindle having a key at the free end thereof, and a spool adapted to be supported up on said spindle and provided with a centrally located slot therethrough adapted to engage said. key in the mounting of said spool. on said spindle.

In a device of the character described, the combination of a standard comprising a horizontal spindle having a key formed at the end thereof, and a spool adapted to be mounted on said spindle, and provided with a key slot permitting said key to pass through the spindle in applying the latter to said pindle.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a spool supporting standard comprising a spindle having integral key forming members at the end thereof, and a spool having a key slot through which the key may pass, and a rotative core on which the ribbon is wound, and means for retaining the spool from rotation upon said spindle.

4c. In a device of the character described, the combination of a standard comprising a horizontal spindle having radial projectionz-s at its end forming a key, and a spool having a centrally located key slot through which said key must pas in order to mount the spool on said spindle.

5. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a portable stand comprising a base plate, an upright standard and a horizontal spindle extending substantially parallel to said base plate, said arm having radial projections at the end thereof, and forming a key, and a spindle having a slot therethrough corresponding in size and shape to the key end of said spindle, and a flat side adapted to engage the face of said base plate, and a rotative core.

6. A. ribbon display and, dispensing device comprising a standard provided with a horizontal spindle having radial projections at the free end thereof forming a key, and a spool comprising a relatively stationary portion having a central key slot adapted to receive the keyed end of said spindle, and its periphery multi-sided toengage flatwise the surface supporting said standard, and a rotative core on which the ribbon is wound.

7. A ribbon display and dispensing device comprising a standard having a spindle, a spool adapted tobe mounted on said spindle, and having its periphery multi-sided to engage at one side the surface supporting said standard, and a rotative core on which the ribbon is wound.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this Qndday of April, A. D. 1921.

JAMES G. JOHNSTON, JR. 

